How safe are women in the city at night? Are police patrols truly instilling fear in the minds of criminals? To find the answers to these questions, B. Sumathi—the new female Police Commissioner of Malkajgiri—did not rely on drawing-room discussions or routine patrols; instead, she stepped directly onto the streets. What she witnessed and did while disguised as an ordinary woman in the dead of night has now become a topic of discussion across the entire country. But why the sudden disguise?
On May 1st, B. Sumathi—a 2006-batch IPS officer—assumed charge as the first female chief of the Malkajgiri Police Commissionerate. Within just a few days of taking office, she resolved to see the true reality of Hyderabad at night. Clad in a simple saree and plain clothes (in mufti), she went alone and stood at the bustling Dilsukhnagar bus stand in the middle of the night. This 'reality check' operation of hers was christened 'Real Mission Shakti.'
40 Arrested in One Hour!
This intense operation continued from 12:30 AM until 3:30 AM. However, the experience was far from pleasant. Upon spotting a woman standing alone at the bus stand, a group of intoxicated and unruly youths gathered around her. Mistaking the Police Commissioner for an ordinary woman, they began making lewd comments and engaging in indecent behavior.
What the criminals did not know, however, was that a special police team was lying in ambush nearby. The moment they began harassing the Commissioner, the police force swooped in. Within the span of just one hour, approximately 40 criminals were caught red-handed.
Stunned into Disbelief Upon Learning Her Identity
When the true identity of the woman—whom the arrested individuals had found alone and attempted to intimidate—was revealed, the criminals were left utterly shell-shocked. They found themselves headed to jail for the crime of harassing the Police Commissioner herself. However, rather than immediately resorting to strict legal action, the police have chosen to emphasize counseling in the wake of this incident. Many individuals were released after being issued stern warnings against public indecency and the harassment of women.
**Major Questions Regarding Safety**
B. Sumathi has previously held key responsibilities within the State Intelligence Bureau. Her bold initiative is garnering widespread praise across social media platforms. Many are pointing out that if the Commissioner herself can fall victim to harassment in the city at night, one can only imagine how abysmal the state of security is for ordinary women.
According to police sources, routine patrols do not always succeed in encountering actual offenders. Consequently, to restore a sense of confidence among the city's women, the police intend to continue conducting such 'undercover' operations across various corners of Hyderabad in the days to come. The Commissioner's message is clear: "The city is awake, and the police are keeping a watchful eye on criminals."